New Affordable Housing Opens in North Bay

NORTH BAY, ON, July 18 - The Government of Canada, the Governmentof Ontario, and the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Boardtoday celebrated the opening of 18 new affordable rental units. The projectreceived $360,000 in funding through the Canada-Ontario Affordable HousingProgram.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and SkillsDevelopment Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and HousingCorporation; Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing, on behalf of the Honourable JimWatson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and George Jupp, Chair ofthe District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board, made theannouncement today.

"The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housingavailable in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most," saidMinister Finley. "With the opening of new units, low-income individuals inNorth Bay will have access to suitable, affordable housing that will help themstart a new page in their lives."

"Access to affordable, quality housing is very important toNipissing-area families," said Nipissing MPP Monique Smith. "I am very proudthat the provincial and federal governments have joined together to help buildGirard Complex, a true community initiative that will make a positive impacton the lives of many families in our area."

Today's announcement recognized the official opening of the GirardComplex, an 18-unit building which will provide affordable housing forlow-income individuals in North Bay. The $1.8 million project received$360,000 under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

Girard Complex will receive an annual affordability payment of $10,800totalling $324,000 for the project, provided entirely by the membermunicipalities represented on the District of Nipissing Social ServicesAdministration Board. Funding for the project is complemented by municipaldevelopment fee waivers.

"The completion of these 18 affordable rental housing units for familiesand individuals in North Bay is a wonderful achievement," said Chair Jupp."Without the cooperation that the DNSSAB has received from the federal andprovincial government, and from the City of North Bay, this project would nothave materialized. More importantly, I want to thank Mr. Ron Girard for hiscommitment to improving the affordable rental housing market in the Districtof Nipissing."

The Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program comprises a commitment of$301 million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total, thefederal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for up to 20,000households in Ontario.

Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion overthe next five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to helpthe homeless. Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additionalone-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existingsocial housing and lending of up to another $2 billion to municipalities forhousing-related infrastructure. Combined for Ontario, this means a further$1.2-billion joint investment under the amended Canada-Ontario AffordableHousing Program Agreement. The federal and provincial governments arecontributing equally to this overall investment.

Ontario is moving quickly to implement this additional funding, whichincreases the number of "quick start" projects to 36 totaling over $70 millionand which will improve access to affordable housing for low-income families,seniors and persons with disabilities. It will also create jobs and strengthenlocal economies. To find out more about affordable housing in Ontario, visitwww.mah.gov.on.ca.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are workingto build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan. For more information onCanada's Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visitwww.actionplan.gc.ca.